Top spirits companies and personalities recognised in new awards series

Later this month, SB and a panel of independent judges will search for excellence in spirits production, retailing, marketing, distributing, sustainability, tourism and brand development in the inaugural Spirits Business Awards.

The Spirits Business Awards will celebrate the leading lights of the spirits world

While The Spirits Business is known for its Global Spirits Masters blind-tasting competition, this new awards series aims to celebrate the people and companies behind the liquid.

The inaugural Spirits Business Awards 2019 is now open for international entries and covers five areas: Retail and Marketing, Sustainability and Innovation, Tourism, Products, and People.

Highlights of the awards include Spirits Retailer of the Year, spanning e-commerce, supermarket, independent, specialist and travel retail; Distillery Sustainability Award; and Best New Product, including whisky, gin, liqueurs, tonic/mixer, low/no and more.

There will also be a number of people-focused awards to celebrate outstanding individual achievement. The categories include: Blender of the Year, Distiller of the Year, Young Achiever of the Year, and a special Lifetime Achievement Award.

“The Spirits Business Awards has been launched to celebrate outstanding achievements across the breadth of the spirits industry,” said Amy Hopkins, editor of The Spirits Business.

“Our sector is vast and complex, relying on the abilities of people spanning a range of disciplines – many of whom stay out of the spotlight. This new awards series seeks to give praise where praise is due.”

Written entries will be judged by members of The Spirits Business editorial team and a panel of independent spirits experts. The winners will be announced during an awards ceremony on 2 December at The Club at The Ivy Club in London.

For more information, or to enter online, click here.